VANCEBORO – Last summer, Matt Riggsbee's first summer as head coach of West Craven's football team, no more than 25 players consistently attended his workouts and conditioning programs.

A year later, more than 60 energetic and enthusiastic Eagles are making the most of their summer workouts.

It's a much different feel for the Eagles a year after qualifying for the postseason for the first time in three seasons.

There's an extra bounce in their steps, and more positive words spewing from their mouths.

“It took us an entire year to get them to want to lift weights and run hard and want to get faster and stronger,” said Riggsbee, who is entering his second season as West Craven's head coach. “We are getting to the point where our leadership can now take over and facilitate the workouts.

“I'm mostly impressed with our commitment in numbers compared to last year, and our leadership.”

The Eagles resume summer workouts this week and next before having its dead period the following week.

The first official day of practice is Aug. 1.

Riggsbee is expecting to build on last year's success.

“Playoffs are an expectation,” he said. “The way the system is today compared to 10 years ago, you better be in the playoffs. You are expected to be in the playoffs.”

Rising senior Alkeim Harley has been taking the majority of the snaps at quarterback in the offseason, but will likely get some competition from rising freshman Darious Abrams.

Harley launched a touchdown strike in Wednesday's 7-on-7 passing league against New Bern at the West Craven Park in Vanceboro.

“Alkeim Harley is the guy, but we've found a pretty good competition in our freshman Darious Abrams,” Riggsbee said. “We are giving Alkeim most of the reps right now, but we are trying to get Darious caught up, because he is going to get quarterback reps in games.”

West Craven, New Bern, Jacksonville and Eastern Wayne competed in its second-to-last passing league on Wednesday.

Riggsbee, for the most part, liked what he saw from his team.

“I'm just looking for competition,” he said. “Our biggest question mark going into the preseason was in the secondary. I think we are getting those questions answered.

“We also have a number of receivers that can play. I feel strongly that we have six or seven that could start at most of the schools in our league.”

New Bern coach Bobby Curlings is still searching for players to fill key positions before the Bears' opener against Durham Hillside on Aug. 23.